Universal joint.



B. 0. RHODES.

UNIVERSALJOINT.

APPLICATION FILED APILSO. 19|?.

Patented May 7,1918.

`-SHEET l.

2 SHEETS 3. 0. RHODES. ,uNlvEnsAL'JolNL l l APPLICATION FILED APR30| 1917. l r`y? Patented May 7,1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

" aww/Moz erz O. Rhodes wuaoow im @Me isA followin the bushings omitted.

`lt/lichigan,

'nnnr o. nnonns, or Maroo,

MICHIGAN, .assrenon 'ro yAmun Umvnnsan .tornar MANUFACTUNG' COWOF KA'LMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

This invention relates to improvements in universal joints.

The main objects of the invention are:

First, to provide an improved universal joint .in which the parts are simple and economical to produce and very conveniently assembled and disassembled as occasion requires.

Second, -to provide an improved universal joint in which journals are provided with bushings, the bushings and their seats conformed so that the bushings are held against rotative movement.

Further objects, and objects relatlng to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

' I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the specification. The invention is clearly eiined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated inthe accompanying drawing, forming a part ofthis speciiication, in which:

Figure l is an elevation of my improved joint with the casing removed. y

Fig. lill is a central longitudinal section with the casing in place, the ljournals being shown in full lines.

Fig. lll is a transverse section on a line corresponding tb line 3 3 of Fig. ll.4 A Fig. FV .is an enlarged detail section on a line corresponding to line 1 4 of Fig. Il, showing details of the casing mounting.

` Fig. V is a detail section on a line corresponding to line 5 5 of Fig. lll, showing details of the bushing seats and bushings. v

Fig. 'VI is a similar detail section' with Fig.` Vlll is a transverse section on a line 4 corresponding to line 7 7 of Fig. lll, showing *detailsv of the housing cap supporti l l l is' a detail seetionon a line corresponding to line 8 8 of Fig. Vllh showing-furtherl details of the retaining unrvnnsar. aunar.v

Specification of Letters Patent.

` pplication ledvpril 30, 1.9-1.7. Serial No. 165,391.

Ytion is Hexed.` The cap .-ra'tentea' may' faire.

Fig. llXis a-detail section on aline cor-r lresponding to line '9 9 of Fig. VII, showing still further details of the retaining I the drawing similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

.Referring to the drawing, the shaft meinber 1 has a squared socket 2 adapted to receive one'of the shaft sections. The shaft member 3 is formed of a shaft coupling -member 4 and a forked section 5 having disk-like portions disposed side by side and secured together by screws 6. The shaft member 1 is provided with a fork or arms 7, while the shaft member 3 has a similar fork or arms 8. These arms have bushing seats 9 extending from their inner ends.

rllhese bushing seats are non-circular, being` preferably slot-like, as shown, tudinal sides being parallel. of the opening of the seats is equal to their greatest diameter, so that the bushings 10, which are of such cross section .as to fit the seats, may be introduced laterally.

The journal member 11 is provided with journals 12, preferably formed integral therewith. The bushings are provided with grooves 13 in their outer face, while the shaft members have bores 14 alined with these grooves when the' bushings are in place to receive the retaining pins 15. These pins serve vto retain the bushings against lateral and longitudinal movement in the seats. As the bushings are non-circular in cross sectheyare supported a ainst rotative movement. More or less di culty has been experienced in edectively retaining circular bushings in their seats so that they do not become loosened or rotate, particularly where the joint is not properly supplied with lubricant.

' By forming the parts as l have described, they may be economically produced, readily assembled and disassembled, and the structure is strong and durable.

' l preferably provide a shell-like easin 16 adapted to seat in the groove 17 formed in the'face 'of the part 5. 'lhe outer end of this casing is spherically curved at 18 so that the gasket or packing 19 carried by the cap 20 rides on this surface as the oint member 20 is sli ably their longi- 'lhe diameter mounted en the shaft member 2 and is yieldingly supported by the spring 21, the outer end of which rests against the retainin vring 22. This retaining ring is formed o VIKEhis ring fits into lan ann ar groove 28 provided therefor in the shaft member 1. The ring is quite secure when its keeper and catch members are engaged, but when engaged in the groove and subjected to pressure of the spring 21, it is quite impossible for it to become accidentally-disengaged. However, it is readily released and engaged as occasion requires. The housing meinber 16 has a lug 29 formed therein to engage with the groove 30 in the arms 8.

I` have illustrated and described my improvements in one form in which I have embodied the same. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe various modifications in structuralV details which are `pos sible and might be desirable under certain conditions, as l believe the disclosure made will enable those skilled in the art to .which my invention relates to embody or adapt the same as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a universal joint, the combination of shaft members having slot-like bushing seats extending1 v outer ends of t sides of the seats being parallel, a journal longitudinally from the eir arms, the longitudinal member provided with fixed journals disposed at right angles and extending into said seats, fiat sided bushings disposed in said seats and adapted to be introduced and removed therefrom laterally, said bushings having transverse grooves in their outer sides, said shaft member arms having bores` cross section open at one side, the opening of the seats being equal to their greatest diameter so that bushings may be introduced laterally thereto, a journal member provided with fixed journals and extending into said seats, bushings conformed in cross section to said seats so that they are held a inst rotative movement, the outer sides o said bushings being transversely grooved, said shaft members having bores alined vwith said grooves when said bushings are in position, and pins disposed in sai bores to en gage said grooves whereby said bushings are supported against lateral and longitudinal movements. v

ln witness whereof, l have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

BERT. o. RHODES. [1.. 8.]

Witnesses: i

J. WESLEY BEAN, FLORENCE SOUDRIETTE. 

